#29 Florida State Seminoles Preview
DJ Boyer |Aug 04,2008
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 #29 Florida State Seminoles Preview
#29 Florida State Seminoles
Head Coach – Bobby Bowden
2007 Record – 7-6
2007 Review
Things are looking less and less optimistic for Florida State as the program seems to get further away from elite status every season. The Seminoles went 3-5 down the stretch including a loss in the Music City Bowl to limp to a 7-6 record. 7-6 are not the types of records Florida State fans are accustomed to.
Team MVP
Many would argue about quarterback Drew Weatherford and the fact that he needs to have a big year in order for Florida State to succeed. I think this season may just hang on the legs of running back Antoine Smith. Smith gained 819 yards a year ago and has a ton of speed. Weatherford needs to have some big games and if he does it will soften defenses and allow Smith more room to roam. Smith has the type of ability to put up 1,300 or 1,400 yard without a problem and the Florida State running attack has suffered for a number of years. One can argue with the plummeting records directly coincide with their decline in overall rushing performance.
Offense
Quarterback
Drew Weatherford has had his share of ups and downs behind center for Florida State but he has made 33 career starts and appeared in 41 games so he should have a lock on the starting quarterback job. With Xavier Lee leaving for the NFL after Florida State asked him to make a position change it made it a forgone conclusion that Weatherford would be the starter. Christian Ponder has made that decision a little harder for the coaching staff as the sophomore has performed outstanding during spring ball. This could mean Weatherford gets an early hook if he struggles during games, and we’ve seen Weatherford get the hook before. There is talent here but the Seminoles seem to be muddled if Weatherford struggles and chaos could ensue.
Running Back
Antoine Smith has yet to have that breakout year we were all looking for . it may not come this year but that has more to do with the makeshift line Florida State seems that they will be fielding when their first game rolls around. Smith has very little competition to take carries away from him and an injury to Smith could be devastating for the Seminoles ACC title hopes. Smith still looks like he gets the handoff and can explode around the outside but he has been tentative running in the middle of the football l field and he has been criticized for going down to easily in the open field. I would like to see Seddrick Holliday get more carries from the fullback position. He is a guy that just seems to make things happen and never quits on a play.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Preston Parker seems like he can do it all as he lines up in the backfield and split out as a wide receiver. Parker led the team with 62 receptions a year ago but he may still see some backfield duty with Antoine Smiths top two options behind him in 2007 both transferring. Parker will return punts and kickoffs and his downfield blocking on running plays is exceptional. Greg Carr is back at wide receiver and his tall 6-5 frame attracts a lot of attention. While Carr has had some big catches his numbers and production are nowhere near what people expected from him when he became a Seminole. Carr still demands attention due to his size and his ability to make plays in the red zone. Caz Piurowski is the junior tight end who should see his numbers increase in 2008. Piurowski will be out for three games in 2008 and look for Charlie Graham to get the starts in his absence and the two split time a season ago.
Offensive Line
Florida State, home of the school that saw 22 players who played offensive line at the school at some point during the 90’s go on to see action in the NFL. Now Florida State has seen a drop in its line play and prospects over the last five years and this year could be the worst crop we have seen to date. Offensive tackle Daron Rose looked to be the best overall lineman the team had and he has now been lost due to academic ineligibility. Shannon Boatman and Jackie Claude were both lost due to graduation. Florida State brings a lot of unknowns to the table and the offensive line looks to be the weakest spot on offense.
Defense
Defensive Line
It’s one thing to see the defensive line so thin at Florida State when you think about all of the faces that have passed through the school and onto the NFL, especially at defensive tackle. Florida State has three lineman that have been suspended for the first three games of the year and they are already dealing with a line that is missing a lot of upper class leader ship. Budd Thacker looks to be the most solid player along the line but he is among the trio of players that is going to be missing some time at the beginning of the campaign. Everette Brown is the top returning sack artist with 6.5 last season but he strictly being used as a pass rushing specialist and will drop into coverage on occasion.
Linebackers
Derek Nicholson is as solid a middle linebacker as you will find in the ACC and his 99 total tackles will be returning for their senior year after flirting with the idea of going pro after 2007. Marcus Bell and Dekota Watson were to hold down the outside linebacker spots but surprise….more suspensions. In the case of Marcus Bell he is now off the team and Toddrick Verdell will start at weakside linebacker. Watson will miss time due to suspension at the beginning of the season but when he returns he should make a world of difference. Watson is not only a rising star on this team but also the conference and the country and he could become a household name when the season is through. Kendall Smith can play both outside spots and will more than likely be filling in for Watson during his absence. Smith is a valuable backup and he is one example of the depth Florida State has at linebacker and why this looks to be the strength of the defense.
Secondary
While both starting cornerbacks are back from 2007 and Myron Rolle back at safety where he has developed into one of the premier performers in the conference, there is still cause for concern with this unit. Florida State was 2nd last in the ACC in pass defense a season ago and with the pass rush being a question mark it may leave the secondary even more exposed in 2008. Florida State was plagued with inconsistency and the defensive backs also had a knack for committing penalties at some of the most inopportune times during a football game. Tony Carter and Michael Ray Garvin are undersized but that is not uncommon for Florida State defensive backs. Rolle seems to be most comfortable playing as a safety but he is classified as a rover and he will line up at a number of different spots on the football field. With the free safety spot vacated by Roger Williams it looks like Jamie Robinson and Darius McClure may share the safety duties for now. Look for teams to be very aware of Rolle and try to avoid him as much as possible.
Special Teams
The kicking job is the cause for alarm here as four year starter Gary Cismesia has graduated. Graham Gano is a fantastic punter who will help pin opponents deep and should walk away with All Conference honors. Michael Ray Garvin and Preston Parker are set in stone as the kickoff and punt return men and while both have performed admirable the problem seems to be holding onto the football. The coverage units are top notch and you can always count on Bobby Bowden being good for at least 3 kick/punt blocks a year on special teams.
2008 Outlook
This year has plenty of question marks but the Seminoles have one of their most favorable schedules in years. Clemson, Boston College and Florida are all at home. The other big test comes early with the 3rd home game coming against Wake Forest, this will also be the last game many of the starters who have been suspended will be missing. If Florida State comes out of the gate 3-0 it will give them a lot of confidence against the likes of Colorado and Miami (Fla.) which they will have to face on the road. I look for another 7 or 8 win season and The Seminoles playing in a lower tier bowl game nowhere close to New Years Day. While they will be a competitive team they should be among the second tier teams in the ACC.
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